Hot Wok Food Makers Pty Ltd v United Workers Union (No 3) [2024] FCAFC 51

Federal Court of Australia

Hot Wok Food Makers Pty Ltd v United Workers Union (No 3) [2024] FCAFC 51 File number: QUD 296 of 2022

Judgment of: COLLIER, RANGIAH AND CHARLESWORTH JJ

Date of judgment: 22 April 2024

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – application for judicial review of decisions of the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission – where Full Bench granted extension of time to appeal and permission to appeal against decision to approve enterprise agreement and upheld appeal – whether decisions and procedural orders affected by apprehended bias – where applicant contends that Full Bench identified and investigated a theory and developed interest in vindication of its theory – whether fair-minded lay observer would reasonably apprehend that Full Bench might not decide appeal impartially – no incompatibility between Full Bench's conduct and ability to impartially decide the case – application dismissed

Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 51(1), 51(2), 54(1), 172(2)(a), 181(1), 182(1), 185(1), 185(2), 186, 186(1), 186(2)(a), 187, 188(1), 189, 189(2), 190(1), 190(2), 400(1), 575(1), 576(1), 577(b), 577(1), 578, 589, 590, 591, 599, 604, 604(2), 607, 607(3), 613(1) and Part 2-4 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 20(1)(A) Judiciary Act 1901 (Cth) s 39B

Cases cited: ALDI Foods Pty Ltd v Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees Association (2017) 262 CLR 593 Allesch v Maunz (2000) 203 CLR 172 Bushell v Repatriation Commission (1992) 175 CLR 408 CNY17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2019) 268 CLR 76 Coal & Allied Mining Services Pty Ltd v Lawler (2011) 192 FCR 78 D&D Traffic Management Pty Ltd v Australian Workers' Union (2022) 178 ALD 164; [2022] FCAFC 113 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337 Gambaro v Mobycom Mobile Pty Ltd (2019) 271 FCR 530 Gomeroi People v Santos NSW Pty Ltd and Santos NSW (Narrabri Gas) Pty Ltd [2024] FCAFC 26 Isbester v Knox City Council (2015) 255 CLR 135 Jones v Commonwealth (2023) 97 ALJR 936; [2023] HCA 34 Lacey v Attorney-General (Qld) (2011) 242 CLR 573 Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1990) 170 CLR 70 Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd v Nicholls (2011) 244 CLR 427 O'Sullivan v Farrer (1989) 168 CLR 210 One Key Workforce Pty Ltd v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (2018) 262 FCR 527 Plaintiff M79/2012 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2013) 252 CLR 336 QYFM v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs & Anor (2023) 409 ALR 65; [2023] HCA 15 R v Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission; ex parte Angliss Group (1969) 122 CLR 546 Re JRL; ex parte CJL (1986) 161 CLR 342 Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd v Marmara (2014) 222 FCR 152 Webb v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 41